Where We’ve Been So Far

Grab your seats, class is in session.

We started this trilogy addressing the upcoming Sorcerer Supreme. Since we started, it has come out that it appears Benedict Cumberbatch will don the cape and amulet as the rumor is he is in final negotiations for the role. As a friend told me, it feels like everyone has been in “final negotiations” for that role, so take it with a grain of salt. If he does in fact take the role? Game over. The movie will be absolutely fantastic.

We then moved on to talk about the Black Panther movie. After that began, Marvel had its huge press conference and laid out its plans for domination through 2019 (and I do believe it will be total domination). During that press conference they revealed that Chadwick Boseman will be play T’Challa. I didn’t add anything to the Big Boss’ article about Black Panther because let’s face it, I didn’t need to. The man said all that needed to be said.

For our third and final installment here, we’re going to look at the ongoing rumor that was not addressed at the press conference yet still has a ton of steam:

Is the Spectacular Spider-Man returning to Marvel?

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man

While no one knows for sure, everyone is sure hoping it does. Let’s be honest, while Sony has done an OK job with their Spidey flicks, they could not hold a candle to what we know Marvel could do and I personally believe Sony knows it. They know the last 3 movies they have produced with the Spider-Man name have not been received well. The question becomes: do they keep making movies hoping they will make money or run the risk that people will give up on them before long and just stop going to see them. Also, is there any way they can put the property back in Marvel’s court and still make money from it? I’m quite sure Disney has some way they can get it back and make it work for both sides. Really, the ball is in Sony’s court. They have to know how crucial the Spider-Man character is to the upcoming Civil War storyline. Yes, Marvel could easily pick another character to play that pivotal spot, but it wouldn’t feel the same. No one in the Marvel Universe has the same feel as Peter Parker does when he struggles with morality. It’s pretty much the foundation of his entire character. If you are truly going to do the Civil War storyline, you need to have him.

So, for sake of the article, let’s assume Sony and Marvel make nice and figure it out. Let’s assume they work together to get this movie made. I believe if they do, they will recast the character. While I am one of the few who actually enjoy Andrew Garfield in the role, I think Marvel would be served better to get Peter away from his high school/early college years. I think they would be better served going with a mid-to-late 20’s Peter who has been doing the Spidey think for a few years, understands what it is to be a hero, and has a lot of experience in the hero business. You do not need the back story at this point as it’s already been done a few times. You can get away with the “flashback” origin explanation. It would also make more sense with the Civil War storyline if he was older. So, going under the assumption that Marvel goes with these ideas (and why wouldn’t they, they’re brilliant!), let’s do some fan casting:

Peter Parker/Spider-Man

Let’s start with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. His name comes up just about any superhero role comes up, and well he should. JGL is a fantastic actor and could really play just about anything. I think he’s perfect here as he definitely has the look. Not a big guy, but not scrawny either. He has the build you want. And range? Please. The guy can act, flat-out. He can give you the awkward Parker, the smartass Spider-man, and the serious hero without breaking a sweat.

This one is hard for me to say without it causing pain, but I have to be honest in saying I think he might not be bad: Zac Efron. I haven’t seen Efron in a ton of things, but what I have seen him in makes me believe he could do this. He definitely has the look. He’s a good-looking guy with the athletic build that would be spot on. The last thing I saw him in was Neighbors and there is a lot in that movie that he shows that he would need. He shows some definite smartass/comedic chops and even some serious as well. I think he could make it all work.

Mary Jane Watson/Parker

Look, as far as I’m concerned, there is only one person who should play this role, so I’m not even going to pick more than one. If Molly Quinn doesn’t get this role, there is no justice in Hollywood. She’s a beautiful, young redhead who has the girl next door look Mary Jane is supposed to have to start, and can easily look like the superstar model she eventually becomes. Having basically watched her grow up over the years on Castle, I have no doubt she also has the acting ability to nail this role absolutely perfectly.

Unfortunately there is no real way to know or guess what villains they would add to this movie. There are so many well-known Spider-Man villains that you could easily cast another 6-7 actors, and I don’t see it as necessary. For now, I’m going to stick with just those two as really, they would be the foundation of the movie. If you have a thought you’d like me to go with, please let me know in the comments and I’ll give you some thoughts.

As for story lines, there’s any number you could go with but I hope they stay away from the older ones. At this point, they are done and played out. Personally, I would love to see something with Kraven the Hunter. Maybe something with Mysterio. Stay away from Venom, Electro, Doc Oc, the ones that have already been done. Go with something new. I truly believe that is the best way to get some energy and some interest back into this franchise.

The bottom line for me here: get this character back into the hands of Marvel where it belongs. No one has done better with their superhero franchises and nobody will. Come on Sony, do the right thing. #FreeSpidey

Until next time…

Class dismissed.